Gantry structure



Fe. l?, 194. R. E. SMITH ETAL GANTRY STRUCTURE Filed July 13, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 www5, V u www n o a www mm v5. NJ. m In W L mmf R a Feb. 17, 1948. R. E.v sMrrH l-:TAL 2,436,337

GANTRY STRUCTURE Filed July 13, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @7 l F1a 'lll' I HHHHHIH.. ix l' 'L z5 3+ '3% P 3+ 1526 NVENTOHS..

Ralph .mtk.

l Lawrenc H. Workman Patented Feb. 17, 1948 Muskegon, Mich., 'assignors to Manning, lllax'- well & Moore, Inc., Muskeg'onyMich., acoitpo- -ration of `New Jersey "Application July v13, 1946,' seiaiNo. lest",i4'o

13'Clain'1s.

The inventionrelates to'gantrystru'ctures generally, and moreparticularlyto'a portable gantry structure adapted to support small Achain or power-driven hoists.

One object of the invention is to "provide va portable gantry structure 'of `th`e above 'general character which is strongfand rigid, yet light 'in weight and easy to move about.

-Another object isf'to provide'a gantry structure utilizing a light standard-structural '.stee'lbealm as the bridging membeigtogetherwithfend'frames constructed so that `the structure iiiay -be 'assembled Without vrequiring 'the drilling of holes inthe beam, thus enabling 'the frames tob'e supplied in Vthe 'form of a compa-ct lightweight kit for use with a, beam 'obtained locally, 'whereby shipping costs are materially'reduced.

A further object Ais Ato provide an improved gantry end frame lfabricated from tubular 4stock which is light in weight, yet "extremely `strong and rigid, and which'ma'ybe securedto 'thefbridging member ofthe gantrystructure with aminimum of labor.

Other objects and advantages of 'the invention will become apparent rfrom the following 'detailed description of the preferred embodiment 'illuse trated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a lperspective view'ofaga'ntry structure embodying the featuresiofthe invention.

Fig. 2 is adetail view showing one arrangement for securing 4the end frames to 'the bridging member.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken =in 'a vertical plane substantially "on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view fof the gantry structure showing the parts assembled to provide maxi'- mum clearance between `the end iframes and -to provide support for a hoist 'beyond one Kend frame.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational 'vie'w of the gantry structure with the 'end frames arranged to provide Amaxim-um clearance fat 'one end of the structure.

Fig. 6 is a transverse se^tional view taken in a vertical plane substantially on Athe line "liof Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a side 'elevational View of a modiiled form of connecting means for securing the end frames't'o the bridging member.

Fig. y8 is a transverse sectional View taken' in a. vertical plane substantially on the line 3e-8 of Fig. 7.

While the 'invention is susceptible `of various modifications and alternative constructions. I

Have shown "i'1'i"""tli"e ings and will herein describe in detailthe ferre. embodiment, but it-isfto'be'unzlistoodthatidoi thereby intend to limit the inviitinjtotli pecifici'orm disclosed, bitfiteliiitoffcovi"all modifications and yalternative jfon Yu'ctiffns"fa-lling withinthe spirit and-scope o appnded''zl- Ns. Y f Tlieirnproved ntrys' treeoinprises generally"'ajn elongated rigid dgihg member lil supported horiio'rtillyfin fan'elev'ated position by end iframes Fl :Tlf 1'lriizl'girg''met'nlf'nr'IIJ preferably rv`corriprises fa 7 'itblewl' structur'albean, iiclr s a"h-'I-bean,"and provides atrack for-"ai lly i12 Fig. f4) adapted'to support'afconvet nal oistiyvlichmay be of either the-'l"ia`ri" ;l rpoiverfoperated type.

V'In faceordii'c'e" ith vthe Tvinvention, the end frames 'cted to tprovvide 'ample strength and g'liity o Afca r'yiiig' 'any loads withinfthe capatyf thehoistfsiipptirtedby the structure, 661i umitniiign linshown, the x he tructure are alike and are assistente ssmpiedwiih the bridging member 'l 0 inQa variety of waysito enable the structure to ifuncftin inblst'fricienuy underl the particular p'atir Conditions 'foi' Which it is to be used. u

yite'ferring mto VlFig. `1 fo'f the drawings, each of the end `frames `I'I 'comprises a pair of tubular members I5 and il'lifvbnt into'gnerally V-shaped configuration Aand assembled in'inverted position with the Vfree vends of their respective rlegs in closely adjacent relation #the vmembers diverging upwardly 'and outwardly from each other toward their closed ends.' In theA exemplary frame, the member I5 is disposed in a substantially vertical plane, whilexthe companion member =I B y-is'disponsed in an inclined plane intersecting the vertical plane at 'the ends of the legs of th members.

The adjacent legs of ,the members l5 and I5 are rigidly secured together at their lower ends, in this instance by Welding eachnvpair of legs to a metal base-plate vI l disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member l5. To

facilitate movement of the gantry structure, each 'rigth 7of standard l erably swivel mounted so that it may be turned in any direction.

Suitable bracing means is interposed between the frame members for imparting strength and rigidity thereto. As herein shown, the bracing means includes horizontal braces 20 and ZI extending between and rigidly secured at their ends to the legs of the respective frame members i5 and I6 approximately midway between their upper and lower ends. lengths of steel tubing or the likeVone kbeing straight and the other arcuately bent or bowed so as to contact the straight brace substantially at its mid-point. The braces are rigidly secured together at such contacting point by welding. Preferably, the brace 2| extending across the inclined frame member I6 is the arcuate brace as this provides maximum clearance for loads raised in close proximity to the inclined member'of the frame. A V-shaped brace 22 secured at its closed end to the mid-point of the brace 20 and at its open ends to the legs of tbe member l5 closely adjacent their junction with the legs of the member I6 further stiffens the frame.

The bridging member I is preferably removably secured to the frames l so that the elements of the gantry structure may be shipped unassembled or in knock-down form. The invention provides a construction which permits of removable attachment of the bridging member and which enables the assembly to be effected quickly and easilv. Moreover, the means provided for securing the elements together eliminates drilling or other machining of the bridging member, thus enabling the end frames to be used with a length of standard I-beam obtained locally. Accordingly, the end frames may be supplied in sets without the beam, whereby shipping costs are materially reduced by eliminating thel need for including the beam in the set or kit.

The means provided for securing the beam to each end frame ll preferably includes a pair of elongated metal plates 25 and 26 extending horizontally between the frame members I and I6 at their closed ends. The plates are associated with the members so as to form seats for the bridging member either on vtop of or in suspended relation to the frame members. If desired, the plates may be formed with narrow upright flanges 21 at opposite sideedges, as shown in Fig. 3, to assist in locating the bridging member thereon, or the flanges may be omitted as shown in Fig. 8. In the latter case the plates `are preferably made slightly narrower than the flanges of the beam.

The mounting plates 25 and 2E are preferably of suiiicient length to overlap the frame members I5 and i6 and are arranged Vin opposed relation respectively above and below the end sections of the members, as best shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8. They may be secured to the members in any suitable manner, as by welding, thus further strengthening the frame.

In the assembly of the gantry structure, thel bridging member I 0 may be seated on the top plate 25. as shown in Fig. 3, to provide maximum lift. Alternatively, it may be seated against the bottom plate, as shown in Figs. 4-6, so as to reduce overhead clearance requirements and to permit the hoist and trolley to be traversed through the end frames.

For removably securing the Vbridging member or beam to the mounting plates, we provide a clamping device comprising a pair of elongated clamping members 3| and 32-of generally U-shape cross section adapted to be mounted on opposite The braces comprise sides of the beam in straddling relation to the mounting plate and to the flange of the beam. The legs of the clamping member engaging the flange of the beam, which is normally tapered as shown in Fig. 3, are formed with inclined faces 3.3 so that clamping action of the members is regulated by moving the members toward or from each other transversely of the beam. Suitable means, such as through bolts 34, may be provided Vfor drawing the clamping members together.

The clamping members 3l and 32 may be dimensioned to straddle one of the plates 25 or 26,

the legs engaging the plate remote from the beam may be relatively short and constitute hooklike elements engageable with the iianges 21 of the mounting plates.

The novel construction of the end frames and manner of mounting the cross members thereon permits the parts'to be assembled in various ways to meet particular operating conditions. Thus the end frames H may be assembled with the bridging member l0, as shown in Fig. 1, with the inclined frame members I6 facing inwardly and the bridging member l0 mounted on the tops of the frames to provide maximum lift. Where it is desirable to traverse the trolley I2 and hoist i3 beyond either end frame, the bridging member may be suspended from the lower mounting plate 25, the upper ends of the frames providing sufcient clearance for the hoist and its load. It will be appreciated that .the beam may be arranged either iiush with the outer ends of the end frames or may be projected therethrough to provide a substantial overhang, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. When maximum clearance between the end frames is required, the frames may be assembled with the inclined members i6 facing outwardly, as shown in Fig. 4. The bridging member may be mounted on or Vsuspended from the frames, as desired.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a gantry structure'of novel and improved form. A simple structural member or beam is supported by end frames of lightweight, yet strong and rigid construction. These frames are provided with casters or rollers and by reason of their lightweight are easy to move about. Through the novel structural features provided for interconnecting the end frames and the bridging member,l the frames may ,be assembled with and secured to the member without requiring the drilling of holes or other maclnning operations on the member. Accordingly, the end frames may be supplied in sets'vvithout the members for assembly with a locally obtained bridging member or beam, thus substantially reducing shipping costs.

We claim as our invention:

l. A gantiv structure comprising, in combination, an elongated beam forming a support for a hoist, framesfor supporting said beam at opposite ends, each of said frames comprising a pair of frame members of generally Veshaped conguration rigidly secured together in inverted side-by-side relation with the members diverging upwardly and outwardly from each 'othezg an elongated plate connecting the closedends of the members and providing a seat for said beam, and means for removably securingsaid beam to said plates. L

2. A gantry structure comprising, in combination, an elongated beam forming a support for a hoist, frames for supporting saidy beamat op-V posite ends, each.. of. .said-framesf comprising a pairbf frame 'rieiiibers f generally V`shaped configuratiomrigidiysecured@ together inirivertli side-by-side relation with the membersad-iverging upwardly and. outwardly from eachother, and a pair of elongated plates secured to the yclosed ncting the` same, one of siivv plates bei posd bv' and the other blfow; the 4adportionsff theernembers toprovide selectively aailablesats Vfor mounting saidE beam upon th fi'ar'esi y 3. A gantry structure comprising, in combination, an elongated beam forming a support for a hoist, inverted generally V-sh-aped frames supporting said beam at opposite ends, a pair of elongated horizontal plates rigidly secured to each frame adjacent its upper end, one of said plates providing a seat for the beam on top of the frame and the other of said plates providing a seat for the beam in suspended relation to the frame, and means for rigidly clamping the beam to one of said plates.

4. A gantry structure comprising, in combination, an elongated beam forming a support for a hoist, frames for supporting said beam at opposite ends, each of said frames comprising a pair of frame members of generally v-shaped conguration rigidly secured together in inverted side-by-side relation with one member disposed in a vertical plane and the other in a plane diverging outwardly and upwardly therefrom, an elongated plate connecting the closed ends of said members and disposed substantially per pendicular to the vertical frame member to provide a seat for said beam, and means for securing said frames and said beam together.

5. A gantry structure comprising, in combination, an elongated beam forming a support for a. hoist, frames for supporting said beam at opposite ends, each of said frames comprising a pair of frame members of generally V-shaped conguration rigidly secured together in inverted side-by-side relation with one member disposed in a vertical plane and the other in a plane diverging outwardly and upwardly therefrom, a pair of elongated plates connecting the-closed ends of the frame members and disposed substantially perpendicular to the vertical frame member, said plates being located on opposite sides of the closed ends of said members to provide selectively available seats for mounting the beam upon the frames, and means for securing said beam to a selected pair of said plates.

6. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combination, a pair oi" tubular members bent into generally V-shaped configuration, said members being assembled in inverted side-by-side relation with one member disposed in a vertical plane and the other disposed in a plane intersecting said vertical plane and diverging upwardly and outwardly therefrom, the legs of said members terminating closely adjacent the intersection of said planes and being rigidly secured together, and an elongated plate connecting the closed ends of said members, said plate being disposed in a plane per-` portingfthe legs ofqsaid member:

8i: Ai supportingframe for a. gantry structure-4V i comprising; combination, a pair of' tubulary mmbersfbentf into' generally v-shaped config-1y mation, and assembled: inl inverted side-by-side relation., sai'd'niembers having their respectivelegsvdisposed ciosly-adjacent each other at their free ends: and divergihg-ifrom eachother toward their`V closed ends, pair ofv metal plates disposed in a common horizontal plane and securedT re-` spectively to. the" adjacent legsof the members, and ettil e'lng'ate'dntal plate secured to the closed ends of said members and disposed in a plane parallel to said first-mentioned plane.

9. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combination, a pair of elongated structural members bent into V-shaped config-- uration and assembled with their free ends clos ly adjacent each other, a metal plate rigidly secured to each pair of said free ends, said members diverging gradually from each other toward their closed ends, and an elongated metal plate disposed in overlapping relation to the closed ends of the members and rigidly secured thereto.

10. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combinatioma pair of V-shaped members having their respective free ends disposed closely adjacent each other and each pair rigidly secured to a flat metal plate, said members diverging gradually from each other toward their ,closed ends, and a pair of elongated plates connecting the closed ends of said members, said plates being disposed on opposite sides of the closed ends of said members and rigidly secured thereto.

11. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combination, a pair of V-shaped members having their respective free ends disposed closely adjacent each other and each pair rigidly secured to a flat metal plate, said members diverging gradually from each other toward their closed ends, and an elongated metal plate disposed in overlapping relation to the closed ends of said members and rigidly secured thereto.

12. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combination, a pair of tubular members bent into generally V-shaped conguration and assembled in inverted side-by-side relation, said members having their respective legs disposed closely adjacent each other at their free ends and diverging from each other toward their closed ends, means rigidly securing the adjacent legs of the members together at their free ends, other means rigidly securing the closed ends of the members together, bracing means for said frame including a, straight bar extending between and rigidly secured to the legs of -one of said members intermediate the ends of the member, and a second bar extending between and secured to the legs of the other of said members intermediate the ends of that member, said second bar being arcuately bent to meet said straight bar substantially at its midpoint and being rigidly secured thereto.

13. A supporting frame for a gantry structure comprising, in combination, a pair of tubular members bent into generally V-shaped coniiguration and assembled in inverted side-by-side relation, said members having their respective legs disposed closely adjacent each other at their free ends and diverging from each other toward their closed ends, means rigidly securing the ad- 7 8 jacent legs of the members together at their free ends, other means rigidly securing the closed REFERENCES CITED ends of the members together, bracing means for -The following references are of record in the said frame including a. straight bar extending 131 0f this Patent: between and rigidly secured to the legs of one ITED ENT of said members intermediate the ends of the 5 UN STATES PAT s member, an arcuately bent bar secured at its Number Name Date mid-point to said straight bar and at opposite 302,945 Sargent Aug. 5, 1884v ends to the legs of said other member, and a. 1,101,610 A110111' June 30. 1914 V-shaped brace secured at its closed end to said 10 1,147,663 Anderson JUY 20, 1915 bars adjacent their juncture point and at oppo- 1,513,885 White DBC. 9, 1924 site ends to the respective legs of the members 2,343,014 Lang-2m Feb- 29. 1944 adjacent their juncture points. Y

RALPH E. SMITH.

LAWRENCE H. WORKMAN. x5 

